Chapter Sixteen
The Mongol army reacted with extraordinary speed. On the third day after Zhao Liangdong’s main force entered Jing County, a large contingent of Mongol cavalry immediately set out from the prefectural city of Daizhou, galloping swiftly along the official road northwest of Jing County. They surrounded the area from multiple directions. Accompanying them were the “New Attached Troops” within Daizhou’s territory and recently subjugated local militias. This force had utterly broken discipline; as they passed through, they pillaged, burned, and looted like a swarm of locusts. The peasants, who had just quietly returned home hoping to begin spring plowing, were driven once again to abandon their homes and flee toward the Han army’s position.
The situation was extremely chaotic, and the Han army’s foothold in northwest Shanxi was far from secure, making the collection of military intelligence very difficult. Although Chief of Staff Cui Weiya of the Fifth Army deployed significant personnel to conduct reconnaissance and simultaneously pressured and coaxed local gentry into gathering information, the results were limited. Even more troublesome was the fact that much of the intelligence was often contradictory, leaving commanders at a loss.
Major Ni Yicheng arrived in Jing County under such circumstances, traveling among refugees fleeing the turmoil. He was a senior secret agent assigned by the Han Armory and Provisions Statistics Office, operating within Shanxi. Holding the rank of Major and the official title of Zhishi Lang, Ni came from a traditional Shanxi merchant family. Early on, Wang Shirong had instructed him to infiltrate northwest Shanxi, where he established several small private kilns around Baode and Daizhou. Under the cover of a coal and coke merchant, he conducted his activities. Over the past year or two, Ni not only secured a firm foothold but also cultivated connections with the local puppet Qing authorities, funneling a wealth of vital intelligence to the Han court. However, the sudden Mongol invasion shattered much of his painstaking work, and the collapse of the puppet Qing regime decimated the intelligence network he had built. Consequently, he faced severe reprimand from Beijing. Risking much, he had returned to Baode to gather information in hopes of redeeming himself through meritorious service.
“Don’t stand on ceremony!” Zhao Liangdong threw a log into the fire, sending sparks flying from the brazier. Rubbing his hands together, he stood up. “Damn this weather! Major Ni, you’ve suffered. Come, come, warm yourself by the fire. Let’s talk.” He turned to his personal guards and ordered, “Go fetch some strong liquor and find a set of clothes for Major Ni!”
Ni Yicheng was deeply moved. Although Zhao’s rank was only two levels higher than his, he was a commanding general within the Han army—a man of weight and influence even before the lord. Such warmth and kindness stirred a sincere warmth in Ni’s heart.
“Report, General! The Tatars are attacking!” A cavalryman arrived, his expression frantic. His once-pristine uniform was caked with dirt and mud. Ragged cloths were haphazardly wrapped around his head, and fresh blood trickled from wounds. Half of his face, left uncovered, was swollen and bruised purple, resembling an eggplant. Seeing Zhao’s fierce glare and murderous look, he hastily knelt, trembling as he spoke, “…I am the personal guard captain of the Cavalry Regiment’s Third Battalion…”
“What happened to the cavalry regiment?!” Zhao fixed his cold gaze on the man’s head.
The rider took a moment to steady himself before clasping his fists and reporting, “General, half an hour ago, the Tatar cavalry suddenly struck, overrunning the camps of our Third and Fourth Battalions. The enemy is numerous and powerful. Our regiment commander sent me to seek reinforcements from the central command!”
Zhao furrowed his brows and clenched his teeth, then shouted orders, “Sound the horns! Prepare the horses!” Turning to Ni Yicheng, he sneered coldly, “Major Ni, you’ve been deceived!”